Schools quietly make deals downplaying teacher, principal evaluations

11:01 PM,
Apr. 23, 2013

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At least two school districts - and likely more - quietly struck deals with local unions agreeing not to use state-mandated teacher and principal evaluations in firing decisions.

The state Education Department threatened the districts, Buffalo and Rome, Oneida County, arguing the agreements are inconsistent with state law and contradict procedures laid out in their approved evaluation plans. Union leaders defended the deals, refuting that they violate the 2012 statute that governs the evaluations.

The state urged the schools in letters last month to revoke their side agreements or ...